Furnace mount and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A furnace mounting system to elevate the furnace above the floor. In one form the furnace mounting system includes a furnace mounting block including a vibration dampening feature to prevent the transmission of noise and vibration from the furnace to the mounting block. The furnace mounting block includes a locating feature and is adhered to the bottom surface of the furnace.

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/264,955 filed Jan. 30, 2001 and incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus forsupporting a furnace. More particularly, the present invention has oneform wherein a plurality of furnace mounting blocks are adhered to thebottom of the furnace and maintain the furnace in a position off of thefloor.

It is well known that furnaces are conventionally utilized to deliverheated air through a furnace duct system to heat registers locatedthroughout the house. The furnaces are generally raised off of the floorto avoid being exposed to moisture and the associated rusting of thefurnace cabinet. In one prior technique of raising the furnace off thefloor, the installation technicians have utilized masonry blocks whichare slid under the furnace and function to raise the furnace above thefloor's surface. The prior technique does not provide for any vibrationdampening between the furnace cabinet and the masonry block holding thefurnace above the floor. Therefore, the vibration and noise istransmitted from the cabinet to the floor. Further, the masonry blocksare physically heavy and do not allow for the sliding into place of thefurnace while seated on the masonry blocks.

Heretofore, there has been a need for a lightweight furnace mountingblock system for elevating the furnace from the floor and minimizing thetransmission of vibration and noise. The means for satisfying this needhas escaped those skilled in the art. The present invention satisfiesthis need in a novel and unobvious way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One form of the present invention contemplates a mount for supporting afurnace above the floor. The mount comprising: a main body member havinga first surface adapted to engage the floor and a second surface spacedfrom the first surface and adapted to support the furnace above thefloor; and, an adherent component connected with the main body memberand located proximate the second surface, the adherent componentincluding an adhesive surface adapted to engage and couple the main bodymember with the furnace.

Another form of the present invention contemplates a mount forsupporting a furnace above the floor, comprising: a substantially rigidmain body member having a first surface adapted to engage the floor anda second surface spaced from the first surface and adapted to supportthe furnace above the floor; a vibration dampening component positionedon and connected with the second surface, the vibration dampeningcomponent having an outer adhesive surface adapted to engage and couplethe main body member with the furnace; and, wherein the main body memberhas a locating portion extending from the second surface to abut anouter surface of the furnace and position the second surface relative tothe furnace.

Yet another form of the present invention contemplates a combination,comprising: a furnace; and, a plurality of furnace mounts adapted tohold the furnace above a floor, each of the plurality of mountscomprising: a substantially rigid main body member having a firstsurface adapted to engage the floor and a second surface spaced from thefirst surface and adapted to support the furnace above the floor; avibration dampening component positioned on and connected with thesecond surface, the vibration dampening component having an outeradhesive surface adapted to engage and couple the main body member withthe furnace; and wherein the main body member has a locating portionextending from the second surface to abut an outer surface of thefurnace and position the second surface relative to the furnace.

In yet another form of the present invention there is contemplated amethod for supporting a furnace above the floor. The method, comprising:providing a furnace mounting block having an adhesive surface and alocating feature; lifting the furnace to place at least a portion of abottom surface of the furnace off of the floor; positioning the furnacemounting block adjacent the bottom surface of the furnace and abuttingthe locating feature against an outer surface of the furnace; and,adhering the adhesive surface to the bottom surface of the furnace.

One object of the present invention is to provide a unique furnacemounting system.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of a typical furnace positioned on one embodimentof the furnace mounting blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the furnace positioned on thefurnace mounting blocks of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a typical furnace positioned on analternative embodiment of the furnace mounting blocks of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 1, comprising the furnacecoupled with the furnace mounting blocks.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a typical furnace mounted on another embodimentof the furnace mounting blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the furnace mounting block comprising aportion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partially fragmented view of FIG. 5 showing thecoupling of the furnace mounting block to the furnace.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the furnace mounting block of FIG.6.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the furnace mounting block of FIG.6.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the furnace mounting block of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a front view of a typicalupflow furnace 10 located on one embodiment of a furnace installationsystem 11 of the present invention. The furnace installation system 11is adapted to elevate the furnace 10 from a floor 12. While the presentinvention will be described with reference to an upflow furnace, itshould be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thefurnace installation system 11 could be utilized with other types offurnaces and air conditioning equipment.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a side view of thefurnace 10 positioned on the furnace installation system 11. In oneembodiment of the present invention the furnace installation system 11includes a pair of spaced members 13 that are positioned between thebottom surface 20 of the furnace and the floor 12. With reference toFIG. 3, there is illustrated a side view of the furnace 10 positioned onanother embodiment of the furnace installation system 21. The furnaceinstallation system 21 includes a member 14 located proximate each ofthe four corners of the furnace 10. It is contemplated herein that otherembodiments of the furnace installation system can contain otherquantities of members having different lengths and geometricconfigurations.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an enlarged end view ofone of the members 13 forming a portion of the furnace installationsystem 11. The furnace installation system will be described withregards to the installation system 11, however it is understood that itis equally applicable to the other systems contemplated herein. Themember 13 includes a floor elevation body member portion 15 and anupstanding attachment member portion 16. The floor elevation body membercan be formed as a solid member, a hollow member or other forms providedit has the structural integrity to support the load of the furnace. Themember 13 can be formed as a fabricated structure from multiple piecesof material or can be integrally formed as one piece. In one form themember 13 is formed by welding a metal floor elevation body memberportion to the upstanding metal member attachment portion. However, inanother form the member is integrally formed from a metallic material.The present invention further contemplates that the member can be formedof materials other than metal including, but not limited to, compositematerials, polymeric materials, synthetic organic materials and/orplastic. In one form the member is integrally formed of a compositematerial, a polymeric material, a synthetic material and/or a plastic.The upstanding attachment member portion 16 is secured to the outersurface 22 of the furnace 10. In one form the upstanding attachmentmember portion 16 is secured to the outer surface 22 by an adhesivematerial 17. In a preferred form, the upstanding attachment memberportion 16 is secured to the outer surface 22 by double-sided tape. Theadhesive material 17 can extend along the entire length of theattachment member portion 16 or can extend along only a portion of theattachment member portion 16.

The bottom surface 20 of the furnace 10 rests on a vibration dampeningpad 19 that is coupled to the floor elevation body member 15. Thevibration dampening pad 19 extending substantially along the uppersurface 25 of the body member 15 and is adapted to dampen vibration andnoise associated with the furnace 10. In one form, an elastomericmaterial defines the pad member 19. The elastomeric materials caninclude, but are not limited to, polymeric materials and rubber.

The furnace installation system is coupled to the furnace 10 with theadhesive material 17 and the furnace cabinet rests upon the vibrationdampening pads 19. The coupling of the members 13 to the furnace 10allows for the alignment and/or movement of the furnace 10 withoutnecessitating the repositioning of the members 13. Therefore, in oneform of the present invention the furnace can be moved around toposition the furnace without having to reset the members holding thefurnace off the floor. The members 13 functioning to hold the furnaceoff of the floor, the vibration dampening pads cushion the furnacecabinet to enhance noise reduction, and the system allows the furnace tobe positioned without having to reposition the members 13.

With reference to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another embodiment of thefurnace installation system 110 of the present invention. As previouslydescribed for other forms of the present invention the furnaceinstallation system elevates the bottom surface 20 of the furnace 10from the floor 12. The furnace installation system 110 preferablyincludes a plurality of furnace mounting blocks 111 positioned betweenthe floor 12 and the bottom surface 20 of the furnace 10. Morepreferably, the furnace installation system 110 includes one furnacemounting block 111 located at each of the four comers of the furnace 10.However, the present invention contemplates other furnace installationsystems including other quantities of furnace mounting blocks 111 andthe location and spacing of them around the bottom surface 20 of thefurnace.

With reference to FIGS. 6-11, there is illustrated one form of thefurnace mounting block 111. The furnace mounting block 111 includes amain body member 115 and a surface 116 adapted for abutting the floorand another surface 117 adapted for receiving the furnace 10 thereon. Inthe present application the surface 117 will be considered to receivethe furnace thereon if the furnace directly contacts the surface 117 orif the furnace contacts one or a series of intermediatecomponents/materials/layers that are received on and supported bysurface 117. In one form of the present invention the first surface 116and the second surface 117 are spaced apart at least about 2 inches.However it is understood that the present invention is not limited tosurfaces spaced apart by the above dimensions and other spacing arecontemplated herein. Further, in one form of the present invention thesurfaces 116 and 117 are substantially parallel. However, the surfaces116 and 117 may be other than parallel and they may be contoured andnon-planar to meet the specific requirements of some furnaceinstallations.

The furnace mounting block 111 preferably includes at least one locatingportion 120 that is adapted to abut the outer surface 10 a of thefurnace. The positioning of the locating portion 120 adjacent the outersurface 10 a of the furnace 10 causes the surface 117 to be properlylocated and aligned with the bottom surface 20 of the furnace 10. In oneform of the present invention an upstanding member 121 that extends fromsurface 117 defines the locating portion 120. In a preferred form of thepresent invention the upstanding member 121 extends substantiallyperpendicular from the surface 117. In a more preferred form of thepresent invention the locating portion 120 is defined by a pair ofupstanding members 121 that are oriented perpendicular to one anotherand have bearing surfaces 122 adapted to abut the outer surface 10 a ofthe furnace. The locating portion 120 is designed and constructed tomate with the corner configuration of the furnace. Those of ordinaryskill in the art should understand that many furnaces do not have atotally enclosed bottom surface, rather they have a lip formed by thesheet metal furnace cabinet. The sheet metal lip generally extentsperpendicular from the outer surface 10 a back under the furnace about ⅝inches, however other lip sizes are contemplated herein. The presentinvention is applicable with all types of furnaces whether they have atotal bottom surface or a lip.

In one form of the present invention the furnace mounting block 111includes an adherent layer/material 125 coupled with at least a portionof surface 117. The adherent layer/material 125 includes an adhesivematerial on an outer surface that is adapted to stick to the bottomsurface 20 of the furnace 10. The adhesive material securely couples thefurnace mounting block 111 with the furnace 10. In one form of thepresent invention the adhesive material is a double backed tape, howeverother material such as, but not limited to, glue are contemplatedherein. In a preferred form of the present invention a layer of materialthat covers the substantial entire surface 117 defines the adherentlayer/material 125.

In a more preferred form of the present invention a vibration dampeningmaterial 126 is located on and supported by the surface 117. Thevibration dampening material 126 may form a part of the adherentlayer/material 125 or be positioned between the surface 117 and theadherent layer 125. The vibration dampening material 117 provides forthe dampening of vibration and noise that may be transmitted from thefurnace to the furnace mounting block 111. The vibration dampeningmaterial functioning to reduce or eliminate the transmission of noiseand/or vibration from the furnace. A layer located on the surface 117preferably defines the vibration dampening material 117 and in one formhas a thickness within the range of about ⅛ to about ¼ inches. However,other thicknesses are contemplated herein. Vibration dampening materialssuitable for this application include, but are not limited to, anelastomeric material and/or a cork material. A vibration dampening padhaving an elastomeric outer layer and a cork inner portion is alsocontemplated herein. In a preferred form of the present invention thevibration dampening material is formed of cork. The vibration dampeningmaterial is preferably connected to the surface 117 and includes theadherent layer/material 125 on it's outer surface 126 a. The adhesivematerial is preferably applied in a fashion that allows it to besubstantially parallel with the surface 117. In one form of the presentinvention a removable layer (not illustrated) covers the adhesivematerial and prevents contamination of the adhesive prior toinstallation.

With reference to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a side view of one formof the furnace mounting block 111. The furnace mounting block 111 inFIG. 9 has the locating portion 120 extending outwardly from the rest ofthe main body member 115. The present invention contemplates that thelocating portion 120 may be configured to have the same width as themain body member 115 and not extend outwardly therefrom. Further, themain body member is contemplated as being formed as an integralcomponent or as a multi-part assembled structure. The main body memberis preferably formed as an integral component of materials selected froma group of metals, composite materials, polymeric materials, syntheticmaterials and/or plastic. Preferably the main body member is formed of apolymeric material, and the material and structure can withstand thestatic loads associated with supporting a furnace.

The furnace mounting block 111 and furnace installation system has beendescribed with the aid of the figures. A method of installing a furnaceon the mounting blocks 111 will now be set forth. The furnace 10 israised from the floor 20 so that at least a portion of the bottomsurface 20 is clear from the floor 12. If the furnace mounting block 111includes a protective cover over the adhesive material it must beremoved before installation. The furnace mounting block with theadhesive exposed is positioned proximate the bottom surface 20 of thefurnace 10. The locating portion 120 of the furnace mounting block 111is brought into an abutting and aligning relationship with the outersurface 10 a of the furnace 10. The adhesive surface is brought intocontact with the bottom surface 20 of the furnace and adhered to thefurnace. The procedure is repeated for each mounting location for thefurnace. In a preferred form of the present invention the locatingportion 120 is brought into an abutting relationship with each corneradjacent the bottom surface of the furnace. The furnace 10 is thenlowered back onto the floor and can be slid into position as desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionare desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the useof the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description aboveindicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, itnonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may becontemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope beingdefined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intendedthat when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “at least a portion”are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one itemunless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, whenthe language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the itemmay include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically statedto the contrary.

1. A mount for supporting a furnace above the floor, comprising: a mainbody member having a first surface adapted to engage the floor and asecond surface spaced from said first surface and adapted to support thefurnace above the floor; and an adherent component connected with saidmain body member and located proximate said second surface, saidadherent component including an adhesive surface adapted to engage andcouple said main body member with the furnace.
 2. The mount of claim 1,wherein said main body member includes a locating portion adapted toabut the furnace and align said second surface under the furnace.
 3. Themount of claim 2, wherein said locating portion includes an upstandingmember extending substantially perpendicular from said second surface.4. The mount of claim 2, wherein said adherent component is located onsaid upstanding member, and which further includes a vibration dampeningmaterial located on said second surface and adapted to receive thefurnace thereon.
 5. The mount of claim 4, wherein said vibrationdampening material is defined by an elastomeric material.
 6. The mountof claim 4, wherein said vibration dampening material is defined by acork material.
 7. The mount of claim 4, wherein said vibration dampeningmaterial is defined by an elastomeric and cork configuration.
 8. Themount of claim 1, wherein said adherent component is attached to saidsecond surface, and wherein said adhesive surface is spaced from saidsecond surface.
 9. The mount of claim 8, wherein said adhesive surfaceis substantially parallel with said second surface.
 10. The mount ofclaim 8, wherein said adherent component includes a vibration dampeningportion located between said second surface and said adhesive surface.11. The mount of claim 10, wherein said vibration dampening portionincludes an elastomeric material.
 12. The mount of claim 10, whereinsaid vibration dampening portion includes a cork material.
 13. The mountof claim 10, wherein said vibration dampening portion includes avibration dampening pad.
 14. The mount of claim 1, wherein said firstsurface and said second surface are substantially parallel, and whereinsaid second surface is spaced from said first surface at least about 2inches.
 15. A mount for supporting a furnace above the floor,comprising: a substantially rigid main body member having a firstsurface adapted to engage the floor and a second surface spaced fromsaid first surface and adapted to support the furnace above the floor; avibration dampening component positioned on and connected with saidsecond surface, said vibration dampening component having an outeradhesive surface adapted to engage and couple said main body member withthe furnace; and wherein said main body member has a locating portionextending from said second surface to abut an outer surface of thefurnace and position said second surface relative to the furnace. 16.The mount of claim 15, wherein said locating portion is defined by twoupstanding members that are oriented perpendicular to one another, andwherein each of the two upstanding members has a bearing surface adaptedto abut the furnace.
 17. The mount of claim 15, wherein said vibrationdampening component includes an elastomeric material.
 18. The mount ofclaim 15, wherein said vibration dampening component includes a corkmaterial.
 19. The mount of claim 15, wherein said main body membersupports the furnace about at least 2 inches above the floor.
 20. Themount of claim 15, wherein said first and second surfaces aresubstantially parallel. 21-25. (Canceled)